Wabtec Corporation Invests in Additive with new Binder Jet Machine

WILMERDING, PA – May 15, 2019 – Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) announced today its investment in GE Additive’s (NYSE: GE) H2 binder jet printer capabilities. This first-of-its kind order will accelerate Wabtec’s growing additive strategy and its application to the transportation industry. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Additive is one of the key technology pillars for our company and central in our efforts to drive innovation in the industries we serve,” Philip Moslener, global director of the WabtecOne Platform & Applied Innovation. “This binder jet machine will help us design and produce reliable, low-cost components for our current and developmental engines, locomotive, transit and mining programs.”

Wabtec is exploring how additive manufacturing can be integrated into its business to positively impact its products and transform its supply chain.  So far, the company has identified that additive technologies could be used in the production of up to 250 components for its product lines by 2025. The GE Additive team will work closely with Wabtec to support the company’s industrialization strategy.

Wabtec already received its first H2 machine, which is currently located at GE Additive’s labs in Cincinnati. Teams from Wabtec are co-located at the lab to work on technology development, before the machine is relocated to their Grove City, PA facility later this year.

GE Additive has started work with a number of strategic partners and key customers to quickly scale its Binder Jet technology, first into pilot lines, then into complete, industrialized factory solutions - expected to be commercially available in early 2021.

“Throughout 2018, a multi-disciplinary team at GE Additive developed the second generation “H2” binder jet beta machines. Today, parts are being printed on those machines, which we understand provide the largest format and fastest build speed currently on the market,” said Josh Mook, innovation leader at GE Additive.

“Fast forward to early 2019 and we launched the H2 beta testing and partner program. We deliberately sought out partners and key customers, like Wabtec, who are committed to mass production, but also known and respected for their commitment to the early adoption of innovation. Most importantly we want to partner with customers whose businesses will benefit tremendously from Binder Jet’s ability to reliably print large, complex parts at high throughput and low cost,” added Mook.

Binder Jet Background
Metal binder jetting is a family of additive manufacturing technology, where a print head moves across a bed of powder and selectively deposits a liquid binding agent in the shape of the section to be built, bonding these areas together to form “green” parts one layer at a time.

When the build is complete, the “green” parts are removed from the build box and sent to a sintering oven, where the binder is removed and the metal powder is fused into solid metal parts. The material currently used for producing parts is Stainless Steel 316, however other materials are under development including low carbon steels.

About Wabtec Corporation
Wabtec Corporation is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-added services for freight and transit rail. Drawing on nearly four centuries of collective experience across Wabtec, GE Transportation and Faiveley Transport, the company has unmatched digital expertise, technological innovation, and world-class manufacturing and services, enabling the digital-rail-and-transit ecosystems. Wabtec is focused on performance that drives progress, creating transportation solutions that move and improve the world. The freight portfolio features a comprehensive line of locomotives, software applications and a broad selection of mission-critical controls systems, including Positive Train Control (PTC). The transit portfolio provides highly-engineered systems and services to virtually every major rail transit system around the world, supplying an integrated series of components for buses and all train-related market segments that deliver safety, efficiency and passenger comfort. Along with its industry-leading portfolio of products and solutions for the rail and transit industries, Wabtec is a leader in mining, marine and industrial solutions. Wabtec has approximately 27,000 employees in facilities throughout the world.

About GE Additive
GE Additive – part of GE (NYSE: GE) is a world leader in additive design and manufacturing, a pioneering process that has the power and potential to transform businesses. Through our integrated offering of additive experts, advanced machines and quality materials, we empower our customers to build innovative new products. Products that solve manufacturing challenges, improve business outcomes and help change the world for the better. GE Additive includes additive machine providers Concept Laser and Arcam EBM; along with additive material provider AP&C.